Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has renewed his criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s academic credentials.
The actor turned politician insisted that the Chicago State University certificate submitted by the president to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is fake.
Okonkwo made the claim while commenting on the political direction of the country ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He said the controversy surrounding Tinubu’s educational records should not distract Nigerians from what he described as the bigger task of removing the president from office through the ballot.
According to the ADC chieftain, the certificate presented by Tinubu as evidence of his education at Chicago State University did not originate from the institution.
“Tinubu’s Chicago State University certificate did not emanate from the University, it is fake.
“The most important thing in 2027 is to get Tinubu out of power.”
The allegation comes amid the long-running controversy over Tinubu’s educational history, particularly his records from Chicago State University in the United States.
The issue became a major political and legal subject following the 2023 presidential election.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had sought access to Tinubu’s academic records from the university as part of his legal challenge to the outcome of the election.
Documents and testimony released during the proceedings in the United States generated further debate over the certificate Tinubu submitted to INEC.
At the time, Chicago State University Registrar Caleb Westberg confirmed that Tinubu attended the institution and graduated.
However, he also testified that the university did not have the particular diploma presented by Tinubu to INEC in its records and that Tinubu had not applied to the university for a replacement of that document.
Okonkwo, however, said Nigerians should not allow the controversy to overshadow the 2027 election.
He argued that the priority should be building a political force capable of defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The ADC chieftain also turned his attention to the political future of the South-East.
He urged the Igbo to build strategic alliances with other parts of the country if the region hopes to produce Nigeria’s president.
“Ndigbo needs wise alignment with other people to achieve being President in Nigeria.
“Atiku will establish a transitional and transformational government to rebuild Nigeria that Tinubu is destroying,” he added.
Okonkwo has repeatedly called for opposition cooperation as the election approaches.
In June 2026, for instance, he argued that votes for Peter Obi could indirectly strengthen Tinubu’s chances of returning to office because of the effect of vote splitting among opposition candidates.
“A vote for Peter Obi in 2027 is a vote for Tinubu,” Okonkwo said at the time. He argued that opposition politicians must find a way to work together if they genuinely want to defeat the APC.
The dispute over Tinubu’s academic records is not limited to the Chicago State University diploma. Questions have also been raised over his primary and secondary school records.
The issue resurfaced in August 2026 after INEC published details relating to candidates for the 2027 elections.
Reports on the published records indicated that information relating to Tinubu’s primary and secondary education was not provided in the same manner as his university qualification.
Okonkwo subsequently argued that the omission raised constitutional questions about the president’s eligibility to seek another term.
On August 4, 2026, he said Nigeria’s educational requirements must be respected and criticised the judiciary over previous decisions concerning Tinubu’s qualifications.
The Presidential Election Petitions Court admitted documents relating to Tinubu’s academic and employment records during the 2023 proceedings.
The documents included a Chicago State University certificate, an NYSC discharge certificate and a certificate of service from Mobil Nigeria.
Moreover, Kenneth Okonkwo, who was then a prominent Labour Party figure and spokesman for Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, also reacted strongly to the certificate saga.
In an October 7, 2023 report, Okonkwo compared the controversy surrounding Tinubu’s certificate with the case of Mmesoma Ejikeme, who had been sanctioned after an investigation into the alteration of her UTME result.
Okonkwo argued that the same standard should apply to everyone.
“You can’t condemn and punish Ejikeme Mmesoma who did pass her JAMB but inflated the scores, and then turn a blind eyes to Bola Tinubu who forged Chicago State University Certificate.”